An innovative healthcare company, Avenda Health, claims that its AI software is capable of identifying the extent of prostate cancer with greater accuracy than traditional methods employed by physicians.
In a recent study involving ten doctors evaluating 50 distinct prostate cancer cases, Avenda’s Unfold AI technology achieved an impressive detection accuracy of 84.7%. In contrast, the doctors using manual detection methods recorded accuracy rates ranging from 67.2% to 75.9%.
The study, conducted in collaboration with UCLA Health and published in the Journal of Urology, revealed that AI assistance significantly improved predictions regarding cancer size, achieving 45 times greater accuracy and consistency compared to traditional methods. Shyam Natarajan, an assistant adjunct professor at UCLA and the study’s senior author, emphasized the benefits of AI in enhancing doctors’ accuracy and consistency, noting that physicians tended to reach greater consensus when utilizing AI support.
While doctors primarily rely on MRIs to evaluate tumor sizes, some tumors are not detectable through this imaging technology. Dr. Wayne Brisbane, an assistant professor at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, articulated how AI fills the gaps where MRI technology falls short. He underscored that the incorporation of AI in cancer treatment could pave the way for more effective and personalized patient care, ultimately enhancing the likelihood of successful outcomes.
Avenda’s CEO, Dr. Shyam Natarajan, expressed encouragement over the validation of this innovation through research, which has received acknowledgment from the American Medical Association (AMA).
According to the American Cancer Society, approximately 1 in 8 men in the U.S. will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime, with a mortality rate of 1 in 44. This year alone, an estimated 299,010 new prostate cancer cases are expected to be identified, with 35,250 fatalities projected.
The integration of AI in medical practice has the potential to revolutionize cancer diagnosis and treatment, offering hope to patients and medical practitioners alike. As technology continues to advance, it is inspiring to witness solutions that may lead to more tailored therapies and improved survival rates in the fight against prostate cancer.